As those of us who live here know, Maryland is a hotbed of international cultural experiences. So when you tell someone that a night out for some Georgian cuisine should absolutely be on the hit list, they may tilt their head at you and inquire, puzzled, about peaches and BBQ. And while there is certainly some excellent BBQ to be had in our great state, the restaurant we’ll be highlighting today sheds some light on an entirely different Georgia – namely, the one right at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. This unique geographic location has allowed Georgians to develop a rich and complex culinary culture that is unlike anything else you’ve ever tasted. Fortunately, Reisterstown’s own Little Georgia is just waiting to transport your tastebuds 6,000 miles across the world for an adventure you aren’t likely to forget! Here’s more on how you can enjoy Eastern European cuisine in Maryland.
Marylanders can claim our very own slice of the mountains of Eastern Europe right here in Reisterstown. Little Georgia has been serving up the traditional and inventive flavors of Georgian cuisine for years, introducing residents of the Old Line State to some of the best food we could hope to have.
Georgia is home to the oldest tradition of wine-making in recorded history, and thus Georgian wine has become world-renowned for its exquisite flavor. The ancient tradition is alive and well in the bottles offered by Little Georgia - the saperavi quickly became one of my absolute favorites.
Georgia’s national dish is called Khachapuri - a bread boat filled with cheese and egg yolk. The warm ends of the bread are torn off and dipped in the cheese. One taste and I guarantee you’ll understand why this dish is so popular that the price of the ingredients is used as a barometer for inflation.
There is absolutely nothing quite like Georgian pkhali, a salad made from chopped vegetables like spinach or beets and combined with ground walnuts and herbs. The vegetables at Little Georgia are shaped into leaves, creating a beautiful one-of-a-kind experience.
I love a good soup dumpling, and Georgian khinkali certainly hit the spot for that. These are filled with spiced ground meat and broth that liquifies as the dumplings cook. You bite a small end off and slurp the soup out before you eat the rest of it. They’re absolutely perfect for a night in the chilly mountain air.
If you arrive at the right time, you’ll be able to sample Little Georgia’s paska. These cakey sweet breads are traditional for Eastern European Christians at Easter, and they’re absolutely delightful!
